THE OBAMA COMFORT DOLL ISN’T THE WORST OF IT

by John Hinderaker at PowerLine:

I’m a day late with this, so you likely have already seen it: Jill Abramson, former Executive Editor of the New York Times, told the Guardian that she keeps a Barack Obama doll in her purse and calls on it for comfort in the distressing Age of Trump:

It’s easy to look at what’s happening in Washington DC and despair. That’s why I carry a little plastic Obama doll in my purse. I pull him out every now and then to remind myself that the United States had a progressive, African American president until very recently. Some people find this strange, but you have to take comfort where you can find it in Donald Trump’s America.

OK, that’s pretty funny. But the rest of Abramson’s column strikes me as more significant. Why? Because she makes no pretense of being anything other than a Democratic Party operative. Writing for the Guardian’s far-left audience, she is among friends. Any pretense of objectivity is gone.

Abramson’s main subject is the Democratic Party’s hope for a win in the midterm elections. She focuses on Texas, which I wrote about here:

With new Democratic voters racing to the polls in big numbers in Tuesday’s primaries, Texas is looking purple rather than Republican red. …

Though their optimism may be premature, national Democrats think Ted Cruz can be defeated in November by a well-funded liberal House member from El Paso with the name of Beto O’Rourke, who just won his state’s Democratic Senate nomination.

Abramson exults over the Texas primary, but somehow omits to mention that Cruz drew a half million more votes than O’Rourke, even though he faced no perceptible opposition. Still, Abramson is triumphant:

Republican gloom in Washington DC is palpable, with White House chaos, Donald Trump’s sinking approval ratings and incumbent retirements piling up.
…
Though winning control of the House of Representatives in 2018 is their focus, my Democratic sources say that there are already 20 credible presidential challengers giving serious thought to opposing Donald Trump in 2020. The list, unsurprisingly, includes a raft of Democratic senators, and, perhaps surprisingly, at least three strong women, New York’s Kirsten Gillibrand, Minnesota’s Amy Klobuchar and Massachusetts’s Elizabeth Warren.

The Democratic Party cheerleading goes on and on. This is the piece’s conclusion, but for the part about the Obama doll:

Of course, there are months to go until November and Beto [O’Rourke] has to be considered an underdog. Still, it’s thrilling to see signs of a Trump rebellion building in the Solid South, the Republican base where religion, racism and love of guns have advantaged Republicans since Richard Nixon’s election in 1968.

Here’s my point: Abramson hates Republicans (“racism!”) and is an unapologetic Obama (and O’Rourke, and Warren, and Gillebrand, etc.) fangirl. But that didn’t begin recently. Abramson was Executive Editor of the Times from 2011 to 2014, after spending pretty much her whole career there. (Nothing if not loyal, she even has a tattoo of the Times logo.) She is out of the closet now, especially, perhaps, when writing for the Guardian. But is there any reason to think that she ran the Times’s newsroom as anything but a Democratic Party operative? No. In fact, those who read the Times during her years at the helm can attest that the paper shared her enthusiasms as well as her hatreds.

Still: I am not easily shocked, but I do think that Abramson’s out-of-the-closet turn as a doll-carrying Obama Democrat is disturbing.”

ghr..Comment: No matter how hard I try, I cannot imagine Hillary Clinton EVER playing dolls at any age. She could have collected snakes for fun….. Perhaps husband Bill noticed that early in his age with the Hill.

I attended our GOP State Senate District Convention Call yesterday morning. Republicans where I live in a western suburb of Minneapolis haven’t quite managed to run an orderly, inspiring meeting for years.

Crooked Hillary easily gobbled up Hennepin County in 2016 which includes Black Racist and Super Feminist Minneapolis, St. Louis Park, Brooklyn Park, Bloomington, and the Minnetonka where I live. Most of the wealthy and Big Business super wealthy of this Goopher land America buy enough leftist Democrats to own the state and most of its U.S. Congressional Districts politically.

Yet, OUR DONALD nearly beat Crooked Hillary in 2016. Our Minnesota was either THE very last STATE or the second to the last STATE to declare a winner that Presidential election year the tally was so close. Donald won all but 9 of Gopherland’s 87 counties. Minnetonka folks, however, preferred liar Hillary big time .

And then there is our fascist GOOGLE speech control police who, according to reports from many circles, make conservative sentences and paragraphs, even entire articles they disagree with disappear from these pages if deemed sufficiently unObamaloving.

Our Dennis Prager has recently challenged National Google’s Fascism habits in a national court case.

Full Replay: President Trump Campaigns For Rick Saccone In Western Pennsylvania

Here in Leftyland, Minnesota, citizens seeking “honest” Truth listen to Dennis Prager at 1280 AM on ones radio dial in the Twin Cities.

It was at Salem Radio Network, 1280 on my AM dial that day when I first met Our Dennis Prager a week or so before the ELEVATION OF KING SLEAZE, John F. Kerry of VietNam FAKE FILM FAME, that fake news political STARman, Kerry, that fake news movie-star DIRECTORman, John F. Kerry, that ACTORman, John F. Kerry of fake news Leftist fame who was expected to become President PHONYman first class, John F. Kerry of the United States of America.

I could tell immediately this radio guy, Dennis Prager, was some kind of a true conservative, a rare breed in those days…..and better yet, wasn’t afraid to expose Truth from his thoughts as he had studied it.

Although twenty years past retirement, I still work outdoors for a living from April to November, which means I still have winter to settle indoors during lunch hour praying Dennis Prager is still Dennis Prager at SRN 1280.

I am NOT a fan of shallow-man, Michael Medved who follows Our Dennis on SRN in our schedule of the week day.

SRN is NOT a radio channel in love with Our Donald, U.S. President Trump. It sells itself as a Christian network as described here by leftist Wikileaks:

“Salem Radio Network is a United States-based radio network that specializes in syndicated Christian talk, music, and secular news/talk programming. It is a division of the Salem Media Group.”

For many months, perhaps going back to the time Our Donald was Inaugurated a year ago last January, SRN’s news reports during Dennis Prager’s conservative radio show, Monday through Friday have a fixation against the President as if the Dennis Prager show is sponsored by CNN, MSNBC, at their worst.

Today’s first hour SRN news interlude contained a lengthy ‘expose’ news of the day of an alleged sexual liaison Our Donald some well known hooker received $130,000 for the evening and/or not advertising the event.

Another interlude for SRN “news selling” during Prager time announced that some male in the Donald Trump world had mailed some personal material with government paid stamps.

I admit I don’t like American President Donald J. Trump, for I LOVE DONALD J. TRUMP AS PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA!!

He is the only American public figure of today I esteem more for his drive to make America Great Again, than Dennis Prager, who stands alone far above the crowd in second place.

I follow other SRN American stars during the morning and early evening, even visiting Michael Medved occasionally to see if the only thing he is still selling is himself. THE ONLY ANTI CONSERVATIVE “NEWS” ATTACKS BY SRN SALESMANSHIP ARE THOSE WHICH ‘SMEAR’ OUR DONALD DURING THE DENNIS PRAGER SHOW.

Our President, Donald J. Trump could not have become the 45th President of our United States without the overwhelming numbers of votes from our country’s Christian community. I am so proud of us.

I am not fond of Fox News….It’s New Yorker stuff, tar and street urban stuff, snobby college class know nothing about Earth and Life stuff, yesterday stuff. They sell contrived news of the business eastern establishment!!!

However, their blacks are not lefty racist blacks, most of their feminists are not feminazis, and they don’t advertise fascism, antiAmericanism, Marxism, and other such things to satisfy the foreign Spanish every day….which means Fox is NOT a carbon copy of MSNBC, NBC, ABC, CBS, CNN, PBS, and other such modern college farms of know-nothings graduates, especially those sold stupidity regarding the creeping weather of MAN-MADE Killer Global Warming!

Yet, why the leftist poison SRN seems to be selling during the Dennis Prager Radio Show these days…..Or does smearing Our Donald during the Prager hours bring in bigger profits for the company?

7 Pro-Life Policies Touted by the Trump Administration — and Their Current Status

(from a Stream article sent by Mark Waldeland)

“Pro-life leaders have offered both glowing and disappointedreviews of the president’s record thus far. A policy analyst at The Heritage Foundation, Melanie Israel emphasizes why these policies matter in the first place. “The right to life is the most fundamental right of all,” she says. “Without that right, all of our other freedoms are not quite as important.”

As to the White House pro-life agenda, it started with a 2016 letter from then-candidate Trump. “President Trump went on the record before the election saying he was committed to policies like Pain Capable, the Conscience Protection Act and defunding Planned Parenthood,” she says. “Those are all key policies Congress has been pursuing.”

Status Report on 7 Key Pro-Life Policies

Looking at specifics can help clarify the issues. Aside from item one, this list examines the status of proposed laws related to abortion policies. Further insight into potential administrative action is noted at the end.

1. Stop the U.S. From Exporting Abortion Overseas

President Trump issued a pro-life decision on his first Monday in office. He blocked the U.S. from funding health providers who perform or promote abortion services overseas. This order aligned with previous ones by Presidents Reagan and Bush.

The policy has been interpreted more broadly than in previous years. Initially, it was estimated to affect $600 million in aid funding. “This policy does not cut global health assistance funding,” says Israel. “It’s saying that more than $8 billion in taxpayer funds will no longer be entangled with the abortion industry.”

2. Reverse Last-Minute Obama Administration Pro-Choice Policy

Another pro-life win came early in his presidency. Congressional leaders were dismayed by a last-minute decision by the Obama Administration. It would have kept public funds flowing to Planned Parenthood despite state-level efforts to exclude the abortion provider. Planned Parenthood has recently been under investigation on several fronts, from Medicaid fraud to unethical practices.

Both the House and Senate passed a bill allowing states to make their own decisions regarding Title X federal funding. Because of a 50-50 tie in the Senate, Vice President Mike Pence cast the deciding vote.

3. Prohibit Most Abortions at 20 Weeks Fetal Development

Pain Capable Unborn Child Protection Act

Status: Passed House on Oct. 3, 2017 by 237-189, no Senate vote scheduled

This bill has been the most discussed priority among pro-life leaders. It was central in the 2016 letter sent to pro-life leaders. Pro-life advocates estimate the policy “would save over 15,000 preborn lives annually.”

On October 3, House debate on both sides was impassioned. Rep. Karen Handel, R-Ga., had the final word. “This is a good bill, it is a just bill,” she said. “[We are] called as human beings to protect the lives of the most innocent.” In a special election, Planned Parenthood’s political arm spent $735,000 on behalf of her opponent. On the Senate side, Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., has introduced the bill.

4. Ensure Lives Born After Attempted Abortions Have a Chance

This bill may sound familiar to many. The Born-Alive Infants Protection Act passedwith strong support in 2002. It even received unanimous consent in the Senate. The policy mandates clinics provide medical care to infants who survive abortion.

However, abortion providers have not been held accountable. In recent years, Pennsylvania investigators found horrific conditions at an abortion clinic run by Kermit Gosnell. “This new bill is about adding enforcement,” says Melanie Israel. “It provides consequences for health care providers who violate that 2002 law.”

She provides further insight. “It’s pretty amazing how things have changed in the time span of 15 years,” notes Israel. “Back then, both parties protected born-alive infants. This week, I’m sure some people on Capitol Hill will vote against this bill.”

5. Make the Hyde Amendment Permanent

No Taxpayer Funding for Abortion Act

Status: Passed House on Jan. 24, 2017 by 238-183, no Senate vote scheduled

Since 1976, the Hyde Amendment has ensured that U.S. taxpayers do not directly fund abortion services. Making that policy permanent is the goal of this bill, authored by Rep. Chris Smith. He has long served as chairman of the House Pro-Life Caucus.

The Hyde policy has to be added annually to appropriations bills. This law would make it a blanket federal policy rather than subject to the politics of committees.

6. Protect the Ethical Decisions of Health Providers

Many health providers have ethical reasons for not participating in abortions or sterilization. In the wake of the Supreme Court’s Roe v. Wade decision, several conscience protection policies were passed. Yet HHS has failed to enforce these policies in recent years.

Medical professionals and non-profit groups have been penalized for standing on their convictions. In 2009, a nurse in New York was told she’d be fired if she didn’t assist with an abortion. Others point to more recent incidents.

“A couple years ago, California mandated that almost all health plans have to cover elective abortions,” says Israel. “Now that clearly flies in the face of existing conscience protections. But under the Obama Administration, surprise! They found that wasn’t a violation.” The Conscience Protection Act would strengthen enforcement of existing policies.

7. End All Federal Funding of Abortion Providers

Planned Parenthood International lost funding due to the Mexico City Policy (see above). Yet the largest abortion provider has fared better stateside. Planned Parenthood received $543 million in taxpayer funds last year.

Rep. Diane Black, R-Tenn., has proposed halting federal funding of any abortion provider. She notes Title X exists for critical women’s health services, not other purposes. A recent analysis found there are 13 times more federally qualified health centers than Planned Parenthood locations. These centers provide women’s health services but do not perform abortions.

“I will not rest until we put a stop to the blatant abuse of taxpayer dollars to subsidize this big abortion business,” states Black. “Abortion is not healthcare. It destroys one life and damages another.” She recently announced plans to run for Governor of Tennessee on a pro-life platform.

“There have been more than 350 pro-life laws passed in the states since 2010. That’s not happening by accident.” — Melanie Israel

Seeing the Bigger Picture

Pro-life advocates may be discouraged by the lack of movement on some issues. Yet the Heritage policy analyst has a broader view.

“It’s important to remember the many pro-life victories at the state level,” she begins. “There have been more than 350 pro-life laws passed in the states since 2010. That’s not happening by accident. It’s happening because people are putting pro-life legislators in office who are passing pro-life laws.”

Federal policymakers can learn something from these victories, according to Israel. “They can feel emboldened to know, This truly is the will of the people,” she says. “This is an agenda they should be pursuing.”

As to the Trump Administration, pro-life leaders plan to outline specific steps that could be taken at an event next week. Leaders from Americans United for Life and Susan B. Anthony List will present alongside Israel. “We all know that administrative action is not permanent, but it’s still very important,” she states.”

Beware the newest Obamacare plan. Liberals are pushing states to reinstate the penalty for being uninsured—using state law. Here are five to-dos for states written by former Obama officials (with my definitions for what they really mean):

Restore Individual Mandate — Restore ACA individual mandate by adopting a state “penalty for people who remain uninsured when affordable coverage is available.”

Get People Covered — Enroll as many people as possible in government exchange coverage (Obamacare).

Some GOP legislators appear to be on the individual mandate wagon. Minnesota stateSenator Scott Jensen, a physician from the most conservative part of the state, recently declared in the Star Tribune, “An individual mandate resonates with conservative principles of personal responsibility. . . . Public and private entities have both indicated strong support for a health care insurance mandate.”

This is not the first time Sen. Jensen likely surprised his conservative constituents. Last year, he was the sole Republican voting for a Democrat amendment to establish an ACA-like “public option” in Minnesota called the MinnesotaCare Buy-In proposal.

However, Jensen admits “too many ‘essential’ benefits will likely sabotage the affordability and sustainability of such a mandate,” so he suggests the mandate could be for catastrophic coverage of hospitalizations, access to certain medications, ER visits for “true emergencies” and mental health problems.

Freedom-loving conservatives in every state should let their legislators know that a state-imposed individual mandate and annual taxpayer-funded bailouts for health plans rolling in cash are big, bad ACA ideas.

Let me reiterate a fact. The entire Affordable Care Act, including the individual mandate and its penalty tax, has not been repealed. And the penalty has only been zeroed out. There are pages and pages of programs, agencies, mandates, taxes, reporting requirements and more that most people don’t know about, but which have changed our insurance and medical delivery systems.